Dovbyk set for Roma stay, switches to 9 jersey | OneFootball

Artem Dovbyk is starting over with a new number and a new mentality, determined to establish himself as the focal point of Roma’s attack.

After a first season in Italy with 17 goals overall, the former Girona striker wants to return to the levels that made him La Liga’s top scorer.

Gian Piero Gasperini is betting on him, considering him a key player in his attacking plan ahead of next season, writes Il Tempo.

The coach, who took over the Giallorossi bench this summer, demanded and received maximum commitment from the Ukrainian striker from the very first days of training camp.

To symbolize the beginning of a new era, Dovbyk has changed jersey, abandoning the number 11 for the number 9, which remained vacant following the departure of Tammy Abraham.

It’s a gesture full of meaning: the desire to take on new responsibilities, lead the Roma attack, and become the face of the Roma of the future.

Physically fit and motivated, the striker anticipated his training camp by working independently to overcome the knee problems that had hampered him in the previous months.

The new coaching staff, composed of Gasperini and trainers Spignoli, Borelli, Boccolini, and Catalano, has implemented an intense, non-stop athletic program. No days off in the first week, with double sessions and targeted physical tests to immediately raise his competitive level.

Gasperini’s playing system, known for its verticality and aggression, seems designed to suit the Ukrainian’s characteristics: a powerful, dynamic, and lethal center-forward in the penalty area, Dovbyk offers the ideal qualities for an attack based on high pressing, quick transitions, and effective finishing.

The coach sees him as the new key attacker, confident that with the right support and conditioning, he can surpass last year’s performances.

The group also responded to the new guidelines imposed by the staff: Tommaso Baldanzi, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Niccolò Pisilli, and Devyne Rensch chose to return early from vacation, demonstrating dedication and willingness to work. This is an important sign of the enthusiasm with which the new technical course was welcomed.